This week saw the official opening of the Guru Nanak Wellbeing Centre, established by Guru Nanak Darbar Gurdwara in Gravesend..
This much-needed facility aims to serve as a crucial place for the elderly within the Sikh community, emphasizing the promotion of preventative care to enhance health and wellbeing, by stimulating both physical and mental health. Focusing on early intervention and health maintenance, it fills a major gap left since the closure of Guru Nanak Day Centre on the same site by Kent County Council in March 2020. The centre’s mission is to foster healthy and active lives, ensuring that senior citizens receive the support and resources they need to thrive, while also addressing the loneliness and isolation that has significantly increased since the COVID pandemic. The Centre is now managed by Susan Kaur Gill and Kamaljit (Kim) Kaur Arshi, supported by several volunteers.
The celebrations began with a prayer and cutting of a ribbon by Ajaib Singh Cheema, President of the Gurdwara. Chair of the Wellbeing Centre organising committee, Gurdip Singh Clare, welcomed all guests and gave some background to the project. This was followed by a presentation from Jagdev Singh Virdee (General Secretary) on why such a facility is needed, emphasising the presence of 1,200 Sikhs aged 65 or more in Gravesham who have been desperately underserved in terms of services to prevent the onset of poor health over the last four years.
The invited guests and dignitaries shared their thoughts regarding the Centre, toured the facility and saw the activities that are now taking place. Some of the guests joined in with the exercise and art classes alongside the regular service users. Here are some comments from the guests’ speeches:
Dr Bhargava Vasudaven, Deputy Lieutenant and representing the Lord Lieutenant Lady Colgrain, thanked the community and all those involved in establishing the centre, and particularly praised the volunteers who keep the centre running.
Dr Gillian Fargher, High Sheriff of Kent, said: ”As a former GP and trustee of Age UK, the health of the elderly is a high priority for me.” She emphasised that Increasing digitisation, living longer with more health complications and less support from families, means loneliness. The name of the facility, “Wellbeing Centre”, gives a positive message. She said that the work of Sikhs and Sewa (unconditional service / volunteering) is inspirational and paid tribute to the volunteers.
Cllr Daniel Adewale King, Mayor of Gravesham, said: “The Wellbeing Centre is more than just a building, a testament to your commitment to wellbeing. When people have somewhere to go to, they get ready and make themselves look good, also making themselves feel good. The Centre will help to prevent poor health and lead to cost savings for the NHS. It provides for the body, mind and spirit, and today marks a beautiful new chapter.”
Dr Lauren Sullivan, MP for Gravesham said that she was proud of how the community can come together to develop a centre such as this, which will help people to live well and maintain a higher quality of life. She pledged to support further development of the service in any way that she can.
Cedi Fredrick, Chair, Kent and Medway ICB described the “three plagues of old age” as loneliness, helplessness and boredom, and that the Wellbeing Centre is the antidote to such conditions. The NHS can have 20 per cent impact on your health, and the other 80 per cent is impacted by people’s lifestyles and other factors. The NHS is on a journey from treatment to prevention and is open to dialogue on how we can work together.
Cllr Dan Watkins; Chair, KCC Adult Social Care & Public Health welcomed the opening of the centre after a gap of over three years. KCC recognises the need to help prevent, reduce and delay ill health, and help people to be able to continue to live in the community. A new Prevention Task Force is being established and will be keen to work with partners.
Gurvinder Sandher emphasised the 20/80 rule, and the role of facilities such as the Wellbeing Centre in the 80 per cent. However, only so much can be done without public support, and he emphasised the need to see what strategic support can be provided to all communities, to replicate the work being done at the Guru Nanak Wellbeing Centre.
Other attendees included Greg Kitsell (Chair, North West Kent Inter Faith Network), Bilal Farooq (Muslim Association), Abnash Sareen (Hindu Cultural Association), Sam Phillips (Involve Kent CEO), Michelle Kabia (Ellenor CEO).
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